Perspectives
Literary perspectives
The novel "Burmese Days" by George Orwell, from which this excerpt is taken, could be considered an example of colonial literature. Colonial literature was literature set in the colonies, usually from the point of view of the colonizer, presenting the relationship between the colonizers and the natives.
"Burmese Days" is set in Burma, some time during the British occupation. In the dialogue between Mr Flory and Dr Veraswami, we see many aspects of life in a British colony. Both perspectives are presented, that of the colonizer, as well as that of the colonized. What might surprise the reader is that Mr Flory, the Englishman, is anti-imperialistic, while Dr Veraswami supports the British.
Historical perspective
The historical context is very important for George Orwell's "Burmese Days", as it often references the British Empire in India.
Both in the time of the Empire and in the years afterwards, there was much discussion about whether its...